KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has condemned Israel’s interception of humanitarian aid vessels bound for Gaza and demanded the immediate release of Malaysian activists detained on board.
In a statement today, Anwar said the mission vessels of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) — which included nine Malaysians — were “illegally intercepted” in international waters by Israeli forces at about 10:50am Malaysian time.
“The act of detaining humanitarian vessels carrying aid for the people of Gaza was inhumane and violated the fundamental principles of human rights and universal human dignity,” Anwar said.
“I demand that all Malaysian activists and volunteers be released immediately, given due protection, and not subjected to any form of harm during their detention.
“The government will make every possible effort to safeguard the lives of all Malaysians involved in this humanitarian mission and will engage with partner countries and international organisations to facilitate their immediate release.”
Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCare) confirmed that nine vessels, including Conscience and Umm Saad, were intercepted during the flotilla’s journey.
Eight Malaysians were aboard Conscience, which departed from Porto Otranto, Italy, on September 30, led by Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali.
The group included doctors Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Hafiz Sulaiman and Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi, lecturers Prof Mohd Afandi Salleh and Noorhasyimah Ismail, MyCare trustee Norsham Abu Bakar, and Astro Awani journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil.
Another Malaysian, Dr Maziah Muhammad, was aboard Umm Saad, which left Catania, Sicily, on September 27 with seven other vessels.
The flotilla, organised by FFC and TMTG, aimed to deliver aid and provide live coverage from Gaza, where residents continue to suffer under Israel’s blockade.
In total, the mission involves about 150 participants from 25 countries, with MyCare leading the Malaysian delegation. — October 8, 2025